CHAPTER II. 



THE CAVE. 



In order that the reader may form, at the 

 outset, some idea of the general outline and 

 physical character of the Mammoth Cave, we 

 will ask him to imagine the channel of a large 

 and winding river, with tributaries at intervals, 

 some of them the size of the main stream, 

 emptying into the chief river, like, for instance, 

 the Missouri and Ohio joining the Mississippi; 

 these tributaries also receiving their support 

 from creeks, branches, and rivulets, some of 

 them quite small and extending but a short 

 distance, while others are much larger, longer, 

 and more beautiful. Now, it is easy to imagine 

 these rivers as being under ground, or having 

 a surface-covering of earth and rock, and that 

 their rugged channels and banks have ceased, 

 from some cause, to be bathed with the waters 

 which, in ages long past, flowed so freely along 

 them; in fact, that they are perfectly dry, except 

 in a few of the avenues. 



(19) 



